The front hall of Grimmauld Place had barely finished materialising around Harry before he was already making his way up to the room he shared with Ginny, clutching her carefully in his arms. He paid no attention to the commotion behind him as Dumbledore tried to explain what was happening to a frantic Mrs Weasley. Nor did he notice Lily and Arthur following him upstairs and down the hallway.

Walking briskly to the bed, Harry flicked a finger, tossing the sheets back, and carefully placed Ginny onto the mattress. He tucked her hair down gently behind her head, and made sure she was propped up on a pillow.

Satisfied she was comfortable, he idly summoned his wand to his hand from his pocket and started to run it over her, running some basic diagnostic charms.

"I've floo called for Andromeda Tonks. How is she?" Mrs Weasley said, as she barged into the room and over to her daughter.

"She'll be fine, Mrs Weasley," Harry said absently, not taking his eyes off of Ginny as he started to heal some cuts and bruises she must have got from falling on the stone island.

"What happened? Why is she so cold?" Mrs Weasley demanded.

Harry finally turned to the rest of the room, stuffing his wand back into his pocket. His eyes swept over Mrs Weasley, who was hovering over Ginny from the other side of the bed, to the doorway where Lily stood, looking rather pale. Behind them, he could see Dumbledore taking quietly to Mr Weasley, as James and Sirius listened. Further behind them, arranged on the next staircase up stood Ron, Hermione and Rose, all looking very worried as they tried to see what was wrong with Ginny.

"She'll be fine," Harry repeated, louder this time for their benefit. "She's been poisoned, but it isn't fatal. It should take a few weeks at the most to heal her."

"Poisoned?" Mrs Weasley exploded. "How was she poisoned? You said you'd keep her safe, but you got her poisoned?"

Harry looked back at the woman who had been like a mother to him in a life that now felt so long ago. She looked mad, her face red and her wand clenched in one hand.

"I did what I could to keep her safe, but someone had to drink the potion. Ginny decided it would be her; I didn't get any say in the matter," he said coldly.

Looking back to the doorway, he flinched slightly, nearly throwing a hex on reflex as Andromeda Tonks bustled into the room, carrying a bag of potions. He watched to make sure Ginny was in safe hands before turning back to the rest of the people in the room.

"If you'll excuse us, but Ginny needs rest now. We'll explain more later when she's woken up."

He stood there, blocking anyone else getting to Ginny, his very presence somehow amplified to fill the room. The air buzzed slightly around him as he stared down both Mrs Weasley and Dumbledore in turn before the room finally emptied. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Harry and Ginny alone with Mrs Tonks, who was frowning at a sheet of parchment her spells had produced.

"She'll live, as you say, but she'll need to be on a strict course of potions for about two weeks, and I'm restricting her to bed rest," Mrs Tonks said sternly.

"We might not have two weeks," Harry said, frowning. "Aren't there some spells to help speed up the process?"

Andromeda huffed. "Not anything safe, no. There is a good reason we use blood replenisher potions and not a spell to duplicate the blood cells."

"Why? Is it just a matter of power? Because that won't be an issue," Harry pressed.

She shot another glare at Harry, as she started pulling various potions from her bag. "Look, I realise you might not like it, but she will need time to heal. I don't tend to be heavily involved with the Order, so I can't pretend to understand why it is so urgent, but I suggest you reschedule whatever it is."

Harry frowned but remained silent as he watched Andromeda tip several additional potions down Ginny's throat. From what the two soulmates had observed in his own world, whether as a part of their bond, or because of the magic they had available, they healed quicker from most injuries than was normal. When Andromeda finally seemed satisfied, she pulled out several vials and placed then on the side table.

"She will need to take both of these every six to eight hours for the next five days, and this one here daily for two weeks," the elderly mediwitch said, pointing out the different coloured potions. Nodding sharply to herself, she collected up her bag and strode out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and conjured a soft armchair next to the bed, before sitting down and carefully taking Ginny's hand in both of his own. He looked over her carefully, noting her unnaturally pale skin and messy hair. He reached up and carefully arranged her hair more neatly around her, tucking the strands away from her face.

Ginny wasn't meant to look small or fragile, he though. She was always so full of life and strength. She had really scared him today, taking the lead like that. Somebody had needed to, he recognised that. And, ultimately, it had worked out in the end. If he had gone alone, Ginny would have probably tried to fight her way to the island to help him, activating the Inferi as she went.

He wanted to be angry with her, to rage and yell, but all he could do was admire her strength. She had lived through a life of hell already, believing she was responsible for his alter-ego's death, and yet she was still so strong.

That's why you love me so much.

"Ginny!" he cried, leaping out of the chair to sit beside her on the bed. "You're awake!"

I feel awful, she thought, her mind still foggy with flashes of pain and bad memories. She cracked her eyes open to see Harry leaning over her, tender worry written across his face. Hi there.

Mrs Tonks was here, she given you a course of potions to be on, Harry told her. But she wasn't hopeful of you being up and about for a couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks? But the wards at Hogwarts are failing already! We don't have that time, Harry!

"Hey, hey, relax." We'll figure it out, if it even does take that long. If need be, I'll go get the ring alone.

But we don't know what to expect from the ring.

I can take someone with me. Dumbledore managed it last time, and he isn't as sensitive to magic as you and me.

You can't take Dumbledore! For all we know, he'll get cursed again as soon as he recognises it for a Deathly Hallow.

Harry sighed. I know. Maybe I'll take Sirius, he's an Auror.

Or even your mum. She worked in the Department of Mysteries, didn't she?

In research, I think. Not field work.

Your dad then. He's an Auror too.

Harry hummed noncommittally, unsure of what to do just yet.

Oh, Harry? My right-hand pocket. The locket should be in there.

Harry's eyes widened as he realised he'd completely forgotten about the locket. He quickly noticed Ginny was still dressed in dirty robes, which were slightly damp too.

Err, hang on a second.

He went and grabbed a pair of Ginny's favourite pyjamas from the chest of drawers on the far wall, and laid them out next to her. With a wave of his hand, he performed a quick switching spell, swapping her robes for the more comfortable pyjamas.

Ah, that's much better, thanks, Ginny thought, smiling sleepily at him.

Harry smiled back, as he picked up her robes and fumbled around to find the right-hand pocket. He pulled out the locket inside, and glanced at it, only to freeze in shock.

What? Ginny thought, as he stood staring at it. She quickly stole through the bond to see what he was looking at. Oh. But that's –

The real Horcrux, yeah.

But I thought Regulus still died in this world?

Clearly, he died without achieving his goal. Harry mused. I wonder if that's why Kreacher died so much younger? He had nothing to live for.

We'll need the sword then to destroy it. Especially before it starts to influence anyone.

Dumbledore won't be gone long before he wants to know whether it is real or not. If we ask to keep the sword, then I can take it to destroy the ring too.

Ginny's brow furled slightly above her now closed eyes.

How will we pull that off without him becoming suspicious? Even her thoughts were starting to sound slurred and tired.

Harry looked over at her. You're still pale, you should be sleeping. Let me handle Dumbledore.

I'm not useless, you know. I can still help.

Well, any ideas, before you fall asleep again? Harry thought, rolling his eyes but smiling at her stubbornness.

Yes, actually. She thought, primly. Get angry with him. From memory, and from what I've seen of him in this world, he tends to back off when someone is angry with him, to let them cool down a bit. Get the sword, but don't give it back. I doubt he'll ask for it.

Harry blinked. You think that will work?

You've got good reason to be angry; I was hurt. Use that. Make sure he brings the sword now, then just tell him you're not going anywhere until I'm better.

I guess it can't hurt to try.

Harry threw the Horcrux down on the desk on the far side of the room and sat back down in the chair next to the bed. He reached over and took Ginny's hand again, smiling when she squeezed his own.

I'm glad I've got you. I don't now that I could do this all again if I was still alone. I sort of gave up in the last world, after you died.

Ginny turned her head, and opened her eyes, peering worriedly at Harry. I can see it was pretty hard. I hate the idea that the Aurors thought they needed to always check on you.

Harry smiled wryly. I guess I was pretty high risk at the time. I only really worked and missed you.

I wasn't much better in this world. Once I got over thinking it was all my fault, I decided I was going to do everything I could to help take down that bastard who took you away from me. I got brilliant grades for Defence, but barely passed everything else. I'm afraid once the war is over, I don't have very good NEWTS to get a job with.

Harry couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Here we are, not sure we'll even make it through the war, and you're worried about rather poor NEWT grades?

Ginny grinned rather sheepishly at him. Well, if you had my mum making disapproving comments every year, you'd be worried too.

Harry shuddered theatrically. Merlin forbid I face Molly Weasley's wrath.

Oh, stop being a prat.

Harry just smiled down at Ginny as she let her eyes drift shut again. Get better quickly, Gin. I need you if we're going to finish this.

Almost as if she had been summoned, the door cracked open again to reveal Mrs Weasley, looking in anxiously.

"How are you both?" the woman said quietly, making her way over to the other side of the bed to peer at Ginny.

"She was just awake," Harry said trying to smile reassuringly. "But she's very tired."

Mrs Weasley, nodded and looked down, hesitating before, "I know you two are bonded, but Ginny is still my Daughter, Harry. I shouldn't be forced to not see her."

Harry looked down, struck suddenly by guilt.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just - My first instinct is to protect her now. Living without her was hard. I'm not going to let that happen again," he said quietly.

He didn't look away from Ginny as Mrs Weasley moved around the room and was startled to feel a pair of warm arms wrap around his shoulder.

"I haven't been the nicest to you, have I?" Molly said as she pulled away and tried to tidy his hair with her hands.

Harry gulped at the familiar action from his past world, "Umm, I understand why. You're just looking out for your family. I can understand that."

Mrs Weasley sighed as she released him, "You always were such a good boy, when you were little."

She cleared her throat and nodded back towards Ginny, "You're sure she'll be alright?"

"Positive, Mrs Weasley," he said, looking up at her.

"Right. And you haven't eaten have you? I'll bring up some lunch for you," she said before bustling out of the room.

Harry smiled to himself as another piece of the world seemed to fall back into place. If Mrs Weasley was back to mothering everyone in sight, himself included, the world couldn't possibly be so dark.

It was a few hours after lunch when the door creaked open again. Harry glanced up, expecting to see Molly again, but was surprised to see Dumbledore making his way into the room. He quickly remembered Ginny's idea and made his face expressionless as possible.

"How is she?" the old man said quietly as he conjured up an armchair to sit in.

"She woke up for a few moments a couple of hours ago, just long enough to tell me she felt awful, and to give me that," Harry said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at an ornate locket with a large serpentine S inlaid on it with green gems.

"It surprised us," he continued flatly, "It's the Horcrux. Whatever happened to Regulus in this world, he didn't manage to remove it. Maybe that is why Kreacher didn't survive; he had nothing to live for."

Dumbledore moved over to the desk and examined the locket through his half-moon spectacles.

"Then it wasn't all for nothing," he murmured. "You should be very proud of her, Harry."

Harry gritted his teeth, making sure he sounded as if he was barely holding his temper. It wasn't difficult to recall the anger and terror he had felt earlier.

"I am proud," he practically growled.

"Then why are you so angry?" Dumbledore asked.

"Why am I angry? You – She – It was supposed to be me!"

"Why?" Dumbledore said calmly.

Harry looked at him like he was crazy.

"What do you mean, 'why?'"

"Why should it have been you and not Ginny? Does she somehow have any less right than you?"

Harry ground his teeth, trying to stop himself from shouting. What had started as an act was beginning to feel very real.

"Harry, I don't pretend to understand your bond with Ginny. But, from what I have observed, it makes you both extremely protective of one another. I don't think I've seen you apart for more than a few minutes at a time, and that is here in a safe house," Dumbledore said. "Do you think Ginny would have faired any better if you had gone across and left her behind?"

Harry deflated, "No, she'd have probably tried to get across to me somehow and triggered all the defences on the way."

Dumbledore smiled slightly, inclining his head in acknowledgment.

Running his hands through his hair, Harry sighed, looking back at Ginny.

"I think it'll take a bit of time for us to be ready to go after the next Horcrux, professor," he said coldly.

"I suspected as much," the old man said. "Do not worry yourselves. We can keep shoring up Hogwarts' defences for a few more weeks if need be. Maybe you could come and help with that, as I'm sure your strengthened magic would be a great asset."

Harry nodded idly, keeping his gaze on Ginny, "We shall see, sir."

"Very well," Dumbledore said quietly, making his way back to the door. Harry stood, stretching from his uncomfortable position, and followed the man back out into the corridor.

"If you can bring the sword, we can destroy the locket now," Harry said. "It preys on people's feeling, sowing discord where it can. We shouldn't keep it here."

Dumbledore frowned at Harry slightly, examining him carefully. "Do you think that wise right now, Harry?"

Harry brought his eyebrows together, and let his magic seep out slightly around him, making the corridor feel unusually humid. "My soulmate is lying in there, unconscious, because of that locket. I refuse to allow it to stay anywhere where it might cause any more harm to her."

The old wizard sighed and nodded.

"Fawkes?" he called quietly.

There was a flash of fire in the air and Fawkes the Phoenix appeared, the Sword of Gryffindor held in his talons. He flapped gently over, dropped the sword right in front of Harry, who promptly caught it, before coming to rest of Harry's left shoulder.

"Hey there Fawkes," he said, stroking the red feathers across the bird's chest. "Thanks for the sword."

Fawkes crooned gently, rubbing his head briefly against Harry's before he took off again and flapped over to land on Dumbledore's arm.

Shaking himself, Harry hefted the sword in his right hand and marched back into Ginny's room. He glanced over at her, feeling her stirring awake again, but keeping up the act of being asleep. Harry snatched up the locket from the desk and strode out into the opposite guest room. After throwing up a powerful set of silencing and containment wards, he placed the locket on the floor in the middle of the room.

"Harry?" Dumbledore said.

Harry started, having almost forgotten the older wizard's presence. He shot a stern look at the man before holding the sword upright over the locket, the sharp point hanging barely a foot above the closed locket.

"Open" he hissed, the parseltongue coming to him easily, a small token from hosting part of Voldemort's soul for the majority of his life.

The locket twitched and flew open revealing a pair of red eyes. Seeing the sword, a black force exploded out of the locket, only to meet Harry's magic coming fast the other way. Ginny helped, from where she lay in the other room, throwing her own magic through the bond, containing the Horcrux's insidious power in a small orb around the locket. The blackness was thrashing madly, trying to break away from the bright light glowing around it.

The whole tabular remained for less than a second before Harry pushed downwards, and the sword was impaled through the locket into the hardwood floor.

There was a terrible high-pitched scream, and then silence.

Harry looked down at the now blackened, burn-out shell of what was Slytherin's locket.

Another one down, he thought with satisfaction.

Taking deep breaths, Harry stood up straight again, wrenching the sword out of the floor. He lifted it up to eye level and pulled the remains of the Horcrux off the end and threw it at Dumbledore who hastily caught it.

"There you go, sir," he said stiffly. "If that was all..."

Dumbledore hesitated, glancing from the sword to the frown set on Harry's face and back to the locket in his hands.

"I think that will do for today," the old man said carefully. He opened his mouth as if to say something more, before closing it and walking back out into the hallway.

"We'll send you a message when Ginny feels better," Harry said, following him, casually dropping the wards on the room as he went.

"I'd appreciate that. I just hope we can end this war quickly," Dumbledore said.

With a small wave, the man walked back down the stairs. Harry watched from where he stood as Dumbledore stopped briefly at the ground floor to talk to someone before apparating away.

Is he gone, Harry?

He is now.

Turning back to the room, Harry watched as Ginny's eyes popped back open and she push herself upright on the pillows behind her.

You're getting better at lying, she sent, with a cheeky grin.

Harry rolled his eyes, It's your bad influence. Do you think we're doing the right thing?

Ginny shrugged. Maybe not, but that's just a risk we'll have to take. If we want to save Dumbledore, we don't want him anywhere near that ring until we know its neutralised.

What about the other defences though? We don't know what to expect.

She groaned, leaning back and closing her eyes. Harry, we've had this argument already. We're agreed, he isn't coming.

Harry sat back next to her on the bed and reached over to tuck some lose strands of hair back behind her ears. She turned and rested her head onto his shoulder, closing her eyes as Harry dropped a kiss onto her hair and leant his own head against hers.

Who knows, maybe one day, when this is all over, we can worry about normal, trivial things, she thought. Like you, leaving your shoes all messy by the back door or something.

Me? I seem to recall it was you who once said it was boring tidying up and you got impatient. Harry thought back, poking her gently in the side.

Ginny grinned sleepily before wincing as he poked her. Harry relaxed for a few moments, opening himself to the bond until he felt twinges of pain flashing along his muscles.

You need more pain potion.

But they taste so bloody awful, Ginny grumbled.

He reached over with his free hand, rummaged around in the top draw of the bedside table and brought back a small vial. He carefully uncorked it with his teeth and held it up to Ginny's lips. She grumbled on in her head, but tilted her head back slightly and let Harry pour it carefully into her mouth.

I love you, she thought, fatigue making her thoughts sound faint and disjointed.

I love you too, Gin.

Five minutes later, after Harry had carefully helped Ginny lie back down and tucked her in, he walked slowly down the stairs, trying not to make so much noise as to raise attention. He had fashioned a temporary scabbard for the sword and had it slung across his back which felt more natural than trying to clip it to his belt.

He had just made it to the front hall and was walking towards the door when, "Where are you off to?"

Harry sighed and turned to see Sirius standing watching him suspiciously.

"Ginny is still bed-bound, and Dumbledore just left. So where are you going alone?" he continued.

"The day isn't over yet," Harry said, shrugging.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, "So?"

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Oh, that bad, huh?" Sirius said? "You and James and as bad as each other. I'm guessing you won't be talked out of this."

Without waiting, he strode over opened the door, gesturing for Harry to follow him.

Somewhat confused by the sudden change, Harry followed him out into the night where they both stood at the top step, just outside of the door. The night was still young, yet already it was chilly and still. Tendrils of fog slunk between the branches of the trees, shifting lazily like great white snakes. The door clicked shut behind them, sounded muffled in the air.

"Well? Where are we going, and for what mischief?" Sirius said quietly, raising his eyebrows at Harry.

"Ginny said I should take someone with me," he muttered. "Fine, we're going after the next – umm – thing."

"Alone?"

Harry looked over Sirius, surprised at how calm he seemed. "This next one killed Dumbledore. I'd rather not take that chance a second time."

Sirius swallowed, looking out into the night, "Right. Well, we may as well get it done then."

Harry sighed. Please don't let him die either, he thought.

"Okay, hold tight," he said, holding up his left arm for Sirius to take.

The night disappeared around them into blackness. When the world reappeared, they were standing in a graveyard.

A/N: I'm not sure about this chapter in many ways. I changed the direction of it so many times that I hope it still flows well. I don't think a whole lot happens, but I wanted a bit more Harry/Ginny in here, as that really is at the heart of this story. And, sure, scaring off Dumbledore might not make the most sense, but they might have a bit of a god complex about saving everyone. I think that makes a lot of sense given their histories.

Also, as to what's been slowing me down so much lately, I've finally finished a one-shot that I'll be posting Saturday. It isn't related to this story, but it took a fair bit of time, which regrettably pulled me away from this story. It is done now though, so I should be focused back here for now. :)